Baylor teams sign top-notch recruits during fall season

Nov. 10, 2005

by RIAZ DHANANI, sports editor

Baylor teams have recruited hard in their offseasons, looking to keep up or improve their competition in the Big 12.

Men's basketball

Men's basketball head Coach Scott Drew announced the signings of two recruits Wednesday. Demond Carter and Josh Lomers round out Baylor's early signing class thus far, yet rank 21st nationally by Rivals.com, the second-highest national ranking for a class with two or fewer players.

Drew is pleased with the recruiting so far and said it is a never-ending process.

"They are both nationally ranked recruits, but even more importantly they possess the high character necessary to represent Baylor University and the Waco community in a positive manner," Drew said in a news release.

Carter, a 5-foot-10-inch point guard from LaPlace, La., has scored more than 5,600 career points and has been a starter on his high school's varsity team since seventh grade. He has been selected to Louisiana's all-state team four times and led Reserve Christian School to three state championships, including the school's first-ever title in 2002 as an eighth-grader when he won tournament MVP.

Carter is rated in the top 10 at his position nationally by both Hoopmasters and Rivals.com. He averaged 32 points and eight assists while leading his team to the Class B State Championship as a junior.

Drew also added some size to his team, recruiting 7-foot-1-inch Lomers from Boerne High School in Boerne. Lomers is rated the No. 6 center in the nation and the third-rated recruit in Texas by Rivals.com. He averaged 22 points, 10.3 rebounds and seven blocks per game in his junior season. Lomers also shoots well from the field, knocking down 73.4 percent of his shots as a junior.

Baseball

Baylor baseball head Coach Steve Smith, who took the Bears to the College World Series last season, signed 12 recruits.

The baseball team's recent success brought in a very talented pool of players.

"I am extremely pleased and excited to announce the signing of this group of players," Smith said in a news release. "This is without a doubt one of the most talented classes both athletically and academically that we have signed in the last 10 years and will certainly be recognized as one of the top classes in the country this year."

Baylor signed six pitchers, five right-handers and one lefty. The five right-handed recruits include Craig Fritsch from Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Ryan Jenkins from Cypress Falls High School in Houston, Willie Kempf from Medina Valley High School in Castroville, Shawn Tolleson from Allen High School in Allen and Kendal Volz from Smithson Valley High School in Bulverde. Baylor also signed left-hander Aaron Miller, who also plays first base, from Channelview High School in Channelview.

The Bears signed four infielders as well: Jimmy Bailey from Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Raynor Campbell from Katy-Taylor High School in Houston, McGregor's Dustin Dickerson from Hewitt-Midway High School and Shaver Hansen from Fruita Monument High School in Grand Junction, Colo.

The Bears also landed outfielder Clay Fuller from Smithson Valley High School in Bulverde and another Colorado recruit in catcher Gregg Glime from Smoky Hill High School in Aurora.

"Each of these players has the physical ability to step in early in their career and play a significant role in a championship program," Smith said. "This is clearly a banner day for the Baylor baseball program."

Softball

Baylor softball made some recruiting noise of its own as head Coach Glenn Moore announced the signing of seven recruits Wednesday.

Moore said the recruiting class gives his team flexibility and quality depth at each position.

"This class not only addresses our needs but gives us players that have the capability of playing a number of positions," Moore said in a news release. "This will be considered one of the top signing classes in the country. The quality of this signing class makes it evident Baylor softball will continue to be one of the elite programs in the nation for some time."

Baylor adds catcher Jessica Mehl from Dutchtown High School in Baton Rouge, La., catcher/utility player Courtney Oberg from A&M Consolidated High School in College Station, pitcher/outfielder Jessie Patrick from Carroll High School in Southlake, infielder Kelsey Sage from Midway High School in McGregor, pitcher Kirsten Shortridge from Keller High School in Keller, infielder/outfielder Nicole Wesley from Parkview Baptist High School in Baton Rouge, La., and infielder/outfielder Tiffany Wesley from Parkview Baptist High School in Baton Rouge, La.

Women's Golf

The Baylor women's golf program also followed the signing trend Wednesday.

Head Coach Sylvia Ferdon announced the signing of Houston native Kristin Hendrix to a National Letter of Intent.

"Kristen met my criteria for being a great fit for Baylor University and our golf team," Ferdon said in a news release. "She is very athletic, she is strong and she has great character.

Hendrix has been a part of the varsity golf team at Memorial High School, where she was named 2005 District 18-5A Champion. Hendrix also finished 11th individually at the 2005 State 5A UIL championships.